Nagpur: In yet another incident of a police officer being attacked while on duty, a Crime Branch constable was allegedly assaulted and threatened with death during a late-night patrol outside a hotel in Ganeshpeth. The incident adds to a growing list of recent attacks on police personnel in Nagpur, raising concerns over the increasing brazenness of offenders.
According to Ganeshpeth Police, the complainant, Police Constable Deepak Nathuji Lokhande, attached to Unit-3 of the Nagpur City Crime Branch, was patrolling the area with his team under the directions of senior officers in the early hours of July 7.
At around 2.45 am, the police team noticed Hotel Navrang Bhojanalaya operating in the Ganeshpeth area and stopped to make inquiries. While questioning the hotel owner, Sudhakar Dattuji Talwe (65), police found people inside allegedly consuming liquor and having food.
During the inquiry, Manoj Rajesh Uike (32), a resident of Marar Toli near Shiv Mandir, Ambazari, allegedly became aggressive. Police said Uike abused Constable Lokhande in obscene language, grabbed him by his shirt and neck, threatened to kill him, and assaulted him with fists.
When other members of the Crime Branch team intervened to separate the scuffle, the accused allegedly assaulted them as well. Constable Lokhande then informed the police control room, following which a team from Ganeshpeth Police Station rushed to the spot.
Even after additional police personnel arrived, the accused allegedly slapped Constable Lokhande on his left cheek and again threatened him with dire consequences.
Based on the complaint, Ganeshpeth Police have registered a case under Sections 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from duty), 121(3) (voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant), 352 (intentional insult/provocation) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the accused. Manoj Uike has been arrested, while further investigation is underway.
The latest episode comes amid a series of attacks on police personnel in Nagpur in recent months, highlighting the risks faced by officers while discharging their duties and prompting renewed concerns over the increasing instances of resistance and violence against law enforcement officials.
